Dear Graham,

I must say what a lot of sense you talk about on your web site – at last, someone who tells the honest truth, that makes a change !

I would of posted this to your forum, but as I am doing this at work I felt it was not wise.

Can I pick you brains please.

I am now married, with a  3 month old son. I used to play the organ (home, popular not classical) seriously, and did my grades, and in 1996 got the LLCM. I also played the piano, and was say a grade 5/6 ish. But I now haven’t played for say 4 years and would like to get back into it. Due to time constraints I don’t know how much I will actually do (If you have kids then I bet you know the problem).

So, my “issues” are

1)       Budget of say £500 max

2)       I may not play it much (ie not progress that much) but don’t really want to buy something that I may grow out of.

3)       Small house, space is a problem without clutter. With my parents I had 2 pianos in the lounge – no chance of that here. Height and length are ok, it’s the depth. Was trying to get something under 40cms, but to get anything decent (say Yamaha YDP131) its just over that. So that is the a last option or the Casio AP24. (there are good deals on the Casio Ap-80R but that’s 48cm and to big).

So, In you opinion what’s best out of the above if I can get the room.

If I have to go under 40cm ( and I think that’s what the wife will say) the options seem to be

Casio Privia PX-800

Yamaha YDP-S30

or a stage piano and stand (can you suggest a model please)

These seem to all be about 30cm.

The Privia seem to be the best value for money, but are they that flimsy with bad touch?

Can you comment on the above, I would be most grateful.

Kindest Regards

Rob

PS, can you email me about the Classenti pianos also ?

Reply/ Hi Rob

The possible choices for you are as follows:

Yamaha YDP131
Realistic, fully-weighted touch and reasonable sound.
The speakers are only 6 watts each so the sound is
a little thin. The main problem is the size (42cm depth).
Price £559

Casio PX800
Perfect size (30 cm) - no problem with space = happy wife!
The sound though is quite poor, very thin and electronic. The
touch is also too light and not firm. Not really a good choice.
Price £640

Classenti digital piano
The best attribute of the Classenti is the sound. It's so close
to a real piano. The touch is also firm and very realistic. The
speakers are both 15 watts each - so no worries there. The
depth is 39.5cm. This piano seems to fit your requirements.
Price around £550-£600

Yamaha YDP-S30
The action is only weighted (not fully weighted). This is not
good if you want your playing to progress. The dimensions are
OK for you. The speakers are the same output as the YDP131,
so the sound quality could be better.
Price £510

You can call me on 020 8367 2080 if you need more info.

Yours Pianistically,
Graham Howard

Hi Graham
 
Can you tell me if the Thomann DP-40RW piano has fully weighted keys and what your thoughts are on the same.
 
Many thanks, William

Reply/ Hi William

I don't know a lot about the Thomann digital pianos. The description mentions 'hammer action keys'. This is not very clear. My advice is to spend a little
more and get something more well known.

Regards,
Graham Howard

I have been looking for a piano for quite some time - however, I do not have room for a full sized piano. I need one that is no more that 2'1'' (@64cms) deep and no more than 3'9''(114/115cms) wide.

Could you please advise if such a piano exists! I keep being referred to keyboards and synthesisers which I am not interested in. However, I do realise I may be limited to an electronic/digital piano. Any advice you have would be of interest, or if you know of anywhere you can refer me on to.

Thank you for your time, it will be much appreciated.
Regards,  Karen

Reply/ Hi Karen

The Classenti digital piano is the one I recommend.

It sounds and feels like a real piano. The cabinet is
also very compact (39.5cm deep) so space is not a worry.

The first shipment of these pianos are due to arrive in
the UK at the end of January 2008. The price is expected
to be around £500 for the initial promotion.

You can call me on 020 8367 2080 if you need more info.

Yours Pianistically,
Graham Howard

Hi Graham
 
Please could you advise me regarding semi weighted and fully weighted keys on a digital piano, I am on a budget of say £500 pounds to purchase a piano and there seems to be a difference in price in the fully and semi weighted keys.  I would say I can play the piano to an intermediate level can read music and have my theory levels to grade five, I would describe myself as a mature student or old and grey which ever way you want to look at it.
 
Many thanks, Bill

Reply/ Hi Bill

Fully weighted keys mean that the keys are heavy like a real piano.

Semi weighted keys are more like a keyboard; light with only a little resistance.

My advice is to go for the fully weighted keys and stay away from semi-weighted keys. I know they are cheaper, but you need the fully weighted keys to strengthen your fingers.

I recommend either the Yamaha YDP131 or the Classenti. They both fall within your budget.

Regards,
Graham Howard  

Good evening,

Firstly thank you for providing such a great resource in www.ukpianos.co.uk.

Please can I trouble you for some advice, we are looking to purchase a first piano for home family use.  My daughters are taking lessons and both my wife and I have for many years wanted to learn - so now is the time.

I keep looking at digital pianos and still do not really know one from another.  I visited a large Yamaha store in London this evening and was demonstrated pianos from the YDP-131 to the CLP-240.  Now, even as a complete novice I could tell the difference in the physical keyboard actions.  The problem is where do I stop, yes I could keep going up and up in price but as a family of beginners why bother.  I have also seen websites advertising the new Casio AP-500 and Roland devices, as a computer techie I see the Yamaha's as 2005 technology and the Casio AP-500 as 2007 - so therefore as a techie I think the Casio must be better?!?.

Please can you help me see through this maze.

Thanks in advance,

Mark Moreland

Reply/ Hi Mark

Firstly, thank you very much for your complimentary remarks.

Choosing your first digital piano can be a nightmare experience - as I'm sure you are aware of that by now.

The best thing you can do is not let yourself get confused over the different makes and what each piano can do...

The two MOST IMPORTANT things you need is a digital piano with a realistic piano sound and touch. The other stuff is just an added bonus (which you have to pay a lot more for by the way).

The CLP220 has everything you need (including the extra gimmicks).

The sound is superb and it feels like you are playing a real piano - (well almost).

There really is no need to spend (waste) a few hundred pounds more on a CLP240. You really don't get much more value out of the extra spend.

You can check out the latest price on the CLP220 here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

If you need any more advice, email me anytime.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos (grahamhowardukpianos.co.uk)

Dear Uk Pianos
 
I need some advice on purchasing a digital piano / keyboard for my daughter. My daughter will turn 4 in may 2008 when she will be taught piano by a teacher. We have decided that it would be best to buy her a modestly priced keyboard, given that she may not take to it. I want something with weighted keys and the full 88 keyboard which can be stored away upright if need be. I would be most grateful if you could provide any buying advice. My maximum budget is £450.
 
Regards
 
Mr Sanghera

Reply/
Hi Mr Sanghera
Your daughter needs to learn on a piano with fully weighted keys. A keyboard really is no good. Fully weighted keys will strengthen her fingers so it will be much easier for her to play an upright piano later in life. Also, most piano exams are taken place on an upright piano.

I recommend you buy a Classenti digital piano. This piano has an excellent (fully weighted) touch and also sounds just like an upright piano.

You can read more about them here: http://ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-digital-pianos.html

If you would like to know more, you can call me on: 020 8367 2080.

Yours pianistically, Graham Howard

Further comments/

Thank you for yor reply which is most helpful.

I was thinking of buying a YAMAHA DGX-620 PIANO as i had read good reviews of the same. Is the Classenti digital piano better or equal to the yamaha.
 
i look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards
 
Mr Sanghera

Reply/ The Classenti has fully-weighted keys, the Yamaha is only semi-weighted. So, the Classenti is the better choice.

Hi Graham,

I'm considering buying a Digital Piano for 'silent practice' and studio use. I read the article on your site about the Roland HP107 and it sounds incredible. I'm particularly interested in the Pedal Resonance feature. As a pianist yourself, I'm sure you'll agree that the gentle mechanical whirrs and clicks of the acoustic grand piano are integral to the beauty in their sound. Achieving the same from a digital piano is very important to me. I just have one problem...

I'm aware that Roland take their samples from a Steinway Grand and Yamaha from their own concert Grand. I have always found the Steinway most agreeable for classical purposes but lacks both the depth and brilliance suitable to progressive jazz and other more modern genres, whereas the Yamaha tends to tackle the full range beautifully.

So, I guess what I'm asking is, is there a Yamaha equivalent to the Roland HP107 in their digital range? 'Cause I have a feeling that's just what I'm looking for!

Thanks a lot,
Chuck

P.S. By the way, really impressed by the level of detail on your site. Kudos :)

Reply/ Hi Chuck

Thank you very much for your kind comments about my website.

You, myself and most other competent pianists - after many hours
of research - nearly always end up with the same opinion about
which is the best digital piano...

You are absolutely spot-on about the Roland having the Steinway
sound. Everything else you say, I also completely agree with.

Now the pianos you 'must' try are the Yamaha CLP270 and the CLP280.

The CLP280 has wooden keys, the CLP270 does not. I'll leave it
up to you see if you notice a difference or not.

Regards,
Graham Howard

Hi Graham
 
My daughter (she is 8 just now) has been learning piano now for just a year and has (according to her teacher) made fantastic progress. Therefore she has suggested that I buy a true piano for her (she has been practising on Yamaha Keyboard at home). To complicate matter I would be going back to India (where space will not be a problem) and do not think tuning will be a easy thing to do on a regular basis. Here space is a bit of a problem. I suspect that I have to be content with a digital piano. The choices are numerous and the guidance minimal. I suspect that it will be a Yamaha or a Roland (from what I have read in your website). Teacher prefers a hammer action piano. Could you suggest something within reasonable budget.
 
Eagerly waiting for your reply
 
Dr A Maitra
Sheffield, UK

Reply/ Hi Dr A Maitra

If your teacher says your daughter is making 'fantastic progress',
then it really is time to get her a digital piano...

I am not sure what your budget is, but the Yamaha CLP220 is
very popular at the moment. The 220 offers realistic piano sounds
(which is definitely what your daughter needs) and a touch that is
very close to the real thing - your teacher calls this 'hammer action'.

Here is the link to the Yamaha CLP220 page on upianos.co.uk:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

Regards,
Graham Howard

Further comments/

Dear Graham

Many thanks fo your prompt reply. That was a really helpful piece of advice. One more thing, is this the basic piano in a series and will it be qualitatively good. My budget is somewhat flexible but the space in my property is not. What is the major differences in the models including the CLP and CVP series. Are the CLP175 and CVP409 any better or more expensive? Certainly they appearance is better. I don't intend to buy fancy stuff however. Are these strong and durable enough for the hot and polluted Indian summer? Please excuse my ignorance but I need to know as I intend to move in the near future and I may not be able to swap or sell it later as many others do when they acquire new ones. Many thanks for your help and support.

With regards

Dr A Maitra
Sheffield, UK
-

Reply/ Hi Dr Maitra

The CLP220 will do just fine. There really is no need to
spend more than you have to.

The difference between the basic model (CLP220) and
the top of the range (CLP280) is mostly in functions;
rhythms, instrument sounds, etc. (you know... all the
flashing lights and buttons).

The piano sound and touch is only marginally better
and really not worth paying more for.

The difference between the CVP and CLP is the
gimmicks. The CLP is designed to play and sound
as close to a piano as possible, the CVP is actually
not as good a piano, but you get hundreds of
different sounds and effects. That's what you're
paying for with the CVP range.

Any Yamaha Clavinova will be fine to take to India.

Don't worry about the Indian summer... Your piano
will be fine.

Regards,
Graham Howard

More/

Dear Graham

Thanks again for the very honest, knowledgeable and impartial advice for confused parents (but music lovers) like ourselves. Many thanks again for all the support and advice.

With regards

Dr A Maitra
MBBS, MRCP, MRCPCH, MMedSci
Sheffield, UK

Hi, I am looking into buying a digital piano, and am currently doing some research.  I am thinking of buying either a Roland or a Yamaha piano.  I am looking for a piano that is fairly easy to move around - i.e. from room to room, if needed (I probably wont be taking it out of the house).  I have played the piano for many years and want a digital piano with a high quality piano sound and feel.  I would also like it to have some added features of different sounds and drum beats etc.
 
I have looked at some of the Roland stage piano's but am not sure if the reduction in the quality of the piano sound/ feel is worth the benefits of having a portable piano?
 
Are there any pianos within the Roland and Yamaha ranges which you could recommend?
 
Kind regards, Dominqiue

Hi Dominique

The Yamaha CLP220 or the Roland RP101 are the two pianos that fit your requirements.

The CLP220 is marginally more expensive than the RP101 but worth it in my opinion.

Although the RP101 has a great sound, the CLP220 is even more realistic. The touch on the Yamaha is slightly heavier than the Roland which again makes it feel more like a real piano. 

Regards,
Graham Howard

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